An aircraft including at least one hold configured to store containers along at least one storage line, and at least one opening configured to provide a passage between the hold and the exterior of the aircraft, the opening being positioned in vertical alignment with the storage line or in line with the storage line. The hold comprises at least one loading and unloading device comprising at least one carriage, at least one guiding system configured to move the carriage along the storage line, at least one spreader equipped with at least one system for grasping the containers, and at least one vertical movement system that is configured to move the spreader vertically with respect to the carriage.

The present disclosure relates to a distribution station for serving an unmanned logistics distribution vehicle and distribution method. The distribution station includes: a building having a vehicle parking space for parking an unmanned logistics distribution vehicle at least including an unmanned logistics distribution aircraft and an unmanned logistics distribution ground vehicle; a cargo conveying and loading device disposed within the building, for automatically conveying and loading a cargo to be distributed to an allocated unmanned logistics distribution vehicle parked in the vehicle parking space; and a cargo dispatching device for allocating a corresponding unmanned logistics distribution vehicle to the cargo to be distributed, and providing the unmanned logistics distribution vehicle with guidance information to guide distribution of the unmanned logistics distribution vehicle, so that the unmanned logistics distribution vehicle automatically distributes the cargo to be distributed according to the guidance information.

A cargo module swapping system for an electronic short take-off and landing aerial vehicle, including an autonomously driven robotic vehicle for transporting and swapping cargo modules on an autonomous electric aircraft. The robotic vehicle has two or more robotic arms for controlled material handling and manipulation, each configured to install, remove, and replace cargo bins directly onto the aft end of a forward portion of a central fuselage of an electric short take-off and landing (ESTOL) aircraft. The cargo bins are configured to function as the aft portion of the aircraft central fuselage.

An exemplary embodiment may provide a robotic powered cargo handling system. An embodiment may implement a pallet-lift mechanism to lift cargo or pallets. Powered rollers may be embedded into the forks of a pallet-lift mechanism and on top of the vehicle body. An exemplary embodiment may be fully autonomous. A user or software may direct the vehicle to a pallet or piece of cargo and set a destination for the cargo. Sensors, cameras, GPS, and computer vision may be implemented to navigate and avoid obstacles. An exemplary embodiment may include independent 4-wheel steering, 4 corner height adjustment, in-hub electric motors, and pneumatic or solid tires.

Cargo may be optimally placed within a cargo hold using a cargo mover comprising a flexible conveyor belt extending from a ground location to a cargo hold, data defining a dimensional map of available space existing within the cargo hold for placement of cargo, a conveyor controller operatively in communication with the flexible conveyer belt and comprising packing software, and a smart loader comprising a predetermined set of scanning sensors operative to scan the cargo hold and a processor operatively in communication with the predetermined set of sensors and the conveyor controller. An interior of the cargo hold is scanned to create a dimensional map of the cargo hold and cargo placed onto the flexible conveyor belt where certain of each piece is cargo's physical dimensions are scanned. The processor compares the scanned cargo hold data set with the cargo's physical dimensions as well as with an order in which that piece of cargo will arrive at the smart loader to determine the placement of each piece of cargo. As each piece of cargo is placed into cargo hold, the smart loader continues to scan and update the dimensional map of the cargo hold to determine where each subsequent piece of cargo will be placed in the cargo hold.

A boom conveyor includes a boom that carries a conveyor, a support structure for the boom, a rear pivot joint that connects a rear end of the boom to the support structure, and a pivot drive that controls pivoting movement of the boom about the rear pivot joint. The boom conveyor apparatus includes an operator platform and an attachment mechanism at a front end of the boom whereby the operator platform may be attached to the boom or detached therefrom. The attachment mechanism includes a leveling mechanism that is configured to apply a leveling adjustment to the operator platform.

An aircraft loader 54 includes an upper loading platform 50 and an underlying frame 52 with the frame utilizing the bogey suspension system 60, as well as carrying auxiliary lift system 400 at the rearward end thereof for assisting in the initial lifting of the platform relative to the frame. Powered roller assemblies 100, 110, 120, and 130, composed of hollow drive shafts, may be conveniently assembled and disassembled from the underside of loading platform 50. A plurality of upwardly convex-shaped static slider elements 200 facilitate unidirectional movement of loads on the platform 50. At the forward end of the platform, a guard or side rail 316 is rotatable from a retracted position within the confines of a control platform 68 to a forwardly directed position toward the fuselage of the aircraft. The side rail 316 is shaped to resemble the exterior cross-sectional shape of the fuselage, thereby to close the gap between the forward end of the loading platform and the fuselage, for the protection of loader personnel.

Systems, methods, and vehicles for loading and unloading cargo from a long-distance transport vehicle, such as an aircraft, are described. The systems and methods include operating a plurality of vehicles to unload large cargo from the aircraft and transporting the large cargo to an installation site. In some instances, the vehicles hold the payload the entire time, including while loading aircraft, during flight, unloading the aircraft, and moving the payload to the installation site. Alternatively, the vehicles can drive on the plane to load the payload to a designated area, and equivalent vehicles can drive on the plane after the payload has been flown to unload the payload and moving the payload to the installation site. Various vehicles and systems, and components thereof, along with methods of operating the same, are also provided.

A load carrier for an aircraft cargo hold includes a bottom element with a support surface, the load carrier being movable over a floor surface in a floor plane while the support surface faces the floor surface, the bottom element having a base surface. The support surface has rolling elements rotatable about a rotation axis oriented where a parallel to the axis runs parallel to the floor plane, and the rolling elements being retained on the bottom element where the rotation axis of each of the rolling elements can be rotated about a vertical axis running perpendicularly to the floor plane. A load carrier can include a bottom element, the support surface of which has outlet openings, through which air can exit from the support surface to form an air cushion under the support surface. A load carrier can include a bottom element the support surface of which has slider elements.

A boom conveyor includes a boom that carries a conveyor, a support structure for the boom, a rear pivot joint that connects a rear end of the boom to the support structure, and a pivot drive that controls pivoting movement of the boom about the rear pivot joint. The boom conveyor apparatus includes an operator platform and an attachment mechanism at a front end of the boom whereby the operator platform may be attached to the boom or detached therefrom. The attachment mechanism includes a leveling mechanism that is configured to apply a leveling adjustment to the operator platform.